Second wave feminism...

[CurlewKate]

Anyone else on here a second wave feminist- or am I the only one?

Being very concerned about convicted rapists being locked up with vulnerable women, men taking medals and prizes from women in sport, women who have been raped being denied a safe refuge and counselling that they are not forced to share with men who have a paraphilia is not transphobia.

Anyone who supports the sterilisation and mutilation of vulnerable (statistically likely to be gay/autistic/abuse victims) should be ashamed. IMO.

Vulnerable children I mean.

I think feminism is very personal to each woman based on her experiences and morals and circumstances etc. There are many divisive issues such as trans issues or the sex work debate or surrogacy where not all feminists see eye to eye.

she'd got the impression somehow that you were a 'separatist' anti-male type

And?????

I hung on to the coat tails of the second wave while it was happening. I was more Spare Rib than Cosmopolitan, but wasn't fully aware at the time of how much I was benefitting personally from the work of the women a decade or more older than me who had dared to make a noise and to keep making a noise against a background of ridicule and hostility.

Two of my daughers, both Millennials, would regard themselves as aligned with second wave feminism.

And where are the feminists when atrocities are being committed against women all over the world? Well, I have no political clout and I'm too small to be much use in a fight, but I'm giving money to those who are doing the work.

I'm a feminist. I'm not attached to a wave.

When they roll their eyes it’s normally because (like all smart teens) they are super alert to any sniff of hypocrisy in their parents. For example, when I extol that emancipation is economic, they are quick to point out that I can’t be that emancipated because since they came along, I have chosen to work part time (albeit in a well-paid profession), facilitated by their very well-paid dad. It has also been noted that I have a considerably easier time in exercising both my profession and my ‘virtuous, voluntary hobbies’ because I pay another woman to keep house for us. Not unreasonable points, and I have to admit they do smart a bit!

@LaChienneDesFromages the counter to that of course isn't to feel hypocritical - but to acknowledge that at a personal or family unit level the decisions we make aren't always the same as what feminism says is best/better for women as a class. So that your decision - made by you but in conjunction with the father of your children - was to go part-time. Other feminists support that free decision even while they acknowledge that it is probably partly influenced by the patriarchy (because hundreds and hundreds of years of it) and is partly your own decision. And that other women in different circumstances make other decisions. But that feminism as an ideology supports all people to make the best decisions for themselves. Including the father of your child who may decide to be a SAHP or both parents may go part-time etc etc.

In the main Feminism wants everyone to have the freedom of choice.

@Brefugee "
In the main Feminism wants everyone to have the freedom of choice."

Now to me that statement is the core of 3rd wave feminism. For me,as a 2nd waver, feminism is about putting women front and centre of your choices. Obviously women can do whatever they want, but a choice is not a feminist choice just because a woman makes it.

Whatever Germaine Greer is, I want to be that.

Good point, well made. I don't think i was specifically talking about 2nd wave feminism there though. But yes, women should be front and centre - I guess when i think about it I do want everyone to have choice thoug

@Caffeineneedednow Not sure why you think feminists on mumsnet are transphobic? There are plenty of feminists on mn but I have yet to come across a transphobic one!

Real 'freedom of choice' requires a lot from society (many aspects will of course also benefit men). In no particular order and I'm sure not comprehensive:
Sufficient prosperity
Universal education
Equitable laws and effective justice systems
True equality of opportunity
Fair division of labour particularly unpaid labour such as caring responsibilities.